Let me take you back to the early days of 2022. Mark had set up Rock the Joint Magazine and along with Benny and myself was trying to build up interest. He had just enough contacts to get the ball rolling. I think he would say himself that he was very fortunate to have a connection with BB King’s daughter Shirley King who said to us “A funny lot musicians…when you are starting off they will all ask who else you have interviewed, and then wait to see who you can get. But if I can’t get you through the door of the blues community then nobody can!” I think it’s fair to say that, if you look at those early months we covered a lot more blues/blues rock music than we currently do. Back in those early months Five Points Gang were one of the first who we interviewed and featured, so it is great to see how they are getting on more than four years later.
Their press tells us:
“Five Points Gang are a high-energy modern blues trio forged on the road across Europe, delivering hundreds of electrifying live shows. Fronted by Welsh guitarist Joe Pearson, alongside Brazilian bassist Dinho Barral and Swedish drummer Tobi Andersson, the band blend soulful originals with raw, barroom blues. Following their debut album Wanted, Five Points Gang step into 2026 with a fresh, evolving sound — still rooted in blues, but pushing confidently into something new.
They are playing
Upton Blues Festival – Fri 17 July – Meadow Stage @ 15.30
Old Bush Blues Festival – Sat 22 Aug @ 19.30
And tickets are available from their website linked here
Rather than just post a note about the upcoming shows, I am reviewing a limited edition album that they released only on physical format release (it may go up on Spotify at some point).
Here is my review (I did have a digital version for listening and not hard-copy):
There are 13 tracks:
You can buy the CD here
“How Long?” Let’s make a lot of noise and welcome “Five Points Gang” – “How Long” introduces the band – unapologetic and raw, yet with the harmonies in the chorus and a mean driving riff from the three-piece. It actually brings in a funky blues feel to the party.
“All in All” is a heavy track, a bluesy style lyric groove sitting on top of a hard rocking guitar and drum sound. It has a suitable dirty and dive bar feel to it, roughed up – and that is fine for live performance – you put your jeans on and enjoy the moment.
“Tail Dragger” sees the band settle into their show, it delivers some cool guitar breaks, slower drumming and a high energy vocal performance with some grit in the delivery.
“Love By the Gun” – the opening guitar sound almost manages to blend the East with some southern bourbon. It is a change of direction, a sound of the wasteland and the desert. It’s slower pitched, but one of the most interesting on the album from a listening perspective.
“Out of Sight” lasts 8.13, almost (but not quite!) an instrumental. It is one of those tracks that really comes alive in performance. It shows off what the guys can do, and I am sure live it works well. Sitting having an afternoon listen with my headphones and no visuals it had less of an impact for me.
“What Kind of Man” introduces that heavy funky groove that is part of their menu. It has that street strut and bit of bluesy, dark dance feel. I liked the mid track guitar break and the song sees the band in fine form.
“Boogie Man” It takes us into the world of one of the Three Kings of the Blues, Freddie King. When the Boogie Man is town the stage becomes a party and those rockers have to join in the groove! This is a spirited rendition of the track and sees the band having a blast.
“Chills and Thrills” has some of the best guitar work in the show, the drums cut it neatly too. I liked the drum patterns and the driving riff that takes the track forward with confidence.
“Cross Road Blues” is a heavy blues workout with echoes of early ZZ Top. (Texas heavy blues) – it is quite raw and gives a strong live performance feel to the track.
“All She Said” – at 7.48 is one of the longer tracks on the album allowing for some instrumentals. It has a slow and quite heavy drum feel and a lamenting guitar. It is more of a straight blues style song, when you lose the one you love.
“Hoochie Coochie Man” is a cover of the Chicago Blues, written by Willie Dixon. It is one of those tracks beloved in the blues community for a reason and this version shows the band hitting the boards and playing off each other neatly. At 2.49 it is one of the briefer tracks on the album, a quick rocket ride.
“Made Man” opens with some neat guitar work before it moves into a hard hitting track, a late crowd pleaser and one that celebrates the freedom of life when you don’t give a damn!
“All Points Bulletin” closes down the show with energy and the crackle of the amps – low down dirty blues and a hot club enjoying the groove. The Five Points Gang can deliver a party and that is why they are getting the attention they are – a while since we spoke – but they are clearly thriving and they are bringing their version of the heavy blues to you too!
There is nothing overly polished or manufactured here, and that is exactly the point. Five Points Gang are at their best when they sound like three musicians feeding off each other in a hot, packed club with the amps turned up and the audience along for the ride. It has been a pleasure catching up with them after all these years, and it is even more satisfying to see a band we featured in those early Rock the Joint days continuing to grow. If heavy blues with plenty of grit, groove and heart is your thing, this is well worth tracking down.
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By Stevie Ritson
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